C1     Bridging Bridges: Foster Youth System of Care and Multi Tiered Systems of Support

John Oses, California Department of Education

Michael Wimberly, California Department of Education

Aleia Van Dyke, Wheatland Union High School District

 

California’s foster youth face significant challenges, with only 19 percent meeting English standards and 10 percent in Math. High absenteeism, substance abuse, and trauma contribute to a 63 percent graduation rate, compared to 86 percent for other students. AB 2083 created a System of Care (SOC) to provide trauma support by coordinating efforts between education and state agencies. The Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework focuses on core instruction, differentiated learning, and individualized student needs to promote academic, behavioral, and social success. But how do the goals of the System of Care align with the goals of MTSS? Join us for an interactive session to explore how county and district leaders can strengthen collaboration between Education and Child Welfare. We’ll discuss networking, braided funding, and resources to support foster youth both in and out of school, working together to make a meaningful difference across California.

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C2     CSEC Prevention for Caregivers: Promoting Healthy Relationships and Online Safety

Alicia Rozum, Amy Maggard, and Ambrosia Cramer

Placer County Office of Education

 

This interactive training is appropriate for caregivers, resource parents, social workers, educators, advocates, attorneys, and others who care about system-involved youth. We will provide education and resources on the links among healthy relationships, consent, online safety and the risk of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). You will leave with discussion guides on how to communicate about safety with children in your care; practical tips for monitoring online behavior; and tools for recognizing the early stages of exploitation.

 

C3     DESTINATION GRADUATION: Building a Ladder to Academic Success for Youth in Foster Care

          Rashida Elimu, Promises2Kids

          Karina Garcia-López  First Star, Inc.

          Ashley Matysiak, Pivotal

          Foster Care Alumni

 

Come learn about the Foster Youth Pre-College Collective (tFYPC). tFYPC is led by six California direct service organizations working together to ensure foster youth have access to meaningful, engaging, and educational support programming.  The program is grounded in best practices and focused on achieving high school graduation and post-secondary matriculation rates that match or exceed those of their peers in the general population. We will highlight the drivers of success, youth engagement and retention strategies, and lessons learned from customized interventions that build a ladder to academic success for young people in foster care. These innovative programs achieve a nearly 90% high school graduation rate, with more than 77% of participating youth enrolling in post-secondary education.

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C4     Empowering Students Through Meaningful Relationships, Capacity Building, and Collaborative Partnerships

Joanne  Rodriguez, National Center for Youth Law

Trish Wilson, Lancaster School District

Alex Ramos, National Center for Youth Law

Mariah Amaya, National Center for Youth Law

 

Compassionate Education Systems, an initiative of the National Center for Youth Law in partnership with the Lancaster School District, will share strategies for supporting students in foster care through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. Our program focuses on building meaningful relationships and providing robust advocacy for students. You will gain insights into effective advocacy strategies, methods to boost student self-efficacy, and ways to ensure students understand their rights. We will also cover techniques for fostering high-quality relationships with students. The session will demonstrate how to leverage student information systems to enhance support for youth. You will leave with practical tools to improve student engagement, set impactful goals, increase stakeholder involvement, and access a resource guide for utilizing local community resources.

 

C5     Enchanting CopeCakes - A Magical Workshop

Shonie Perry and Daisy Esparza

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

 

Students and Adult Supporters, come to this workshop where you can gain a deeper appreciation of your brain's superpowers, resilience capabilities and coping skills. Immerse yourself in a hands-on cupcake decorating activity that mirrors the cognitive process your brain develops. We will explore unique methods for processing your strong emotions and cultivating mindful coping skills through cupcake creation and brain connection. Each cupcake represents a unique expression of the brain's superpowers, providing us a delicious and visual representation of the skills being discussed!

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C6     I Don’t Feel Like Talking

Christine Dennis,  District Social Worker, Lake Elsinor USD

  

Join this immersive workshop where you will be guided through interactive projects to experience the effects of expressive arts firsthand. The arts are a diverse tool that can be used with different populations and cultures. Expressive arts can be a valuable tool for you!  The arts are an internal process that does not require another person; making it a valuable method for you to use independently when you do not have anyone to talk to, or when you don’t know how to express and process how you are feeling. Two interactive activities will be facilitated during the workshop. The first activity will allow you to experience a creative writing activity, and the second activity will be an art-based activity using paints. This workshop is open to all students and no prior art experience is required.

 

C7     OCDE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program Services Model: A Comprehensive and Multi-Tiered Sustainable Framework for Supporting Foster Youth

Henry  Metcalf, Ph.D.,  Cindy Rodriguez, Melody Boyd, Ph.D.

Orange County Department of Education

 

This workshop will offer a data-driven exploration of strategies and best practices for delivering educational services to foster youth and other vulnerable populations. We will examine the comprehensive model employed by the Orange County Department of Education's (OCDE) Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP), which integrates both indirect and direct services to establish a sustainable framework for educational support. You will gain insights into the development and implementation of robust educational programs and resources tailored to the needs of foster youth beginning in early education through college. We will also discuss the seven guiding tenets developed and implemented by the OCDE FYSCP team, which are aligned with California's Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. You will leave with an understanding of how to apply the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Model in your community.

 

C8     Memories Matter: Using Positive Response to Support Learning and Influence Behavior

Thomas C. Rector, Accrescent Institute

Christine Slette, CASA of Del Norte

Frances Myers, Accrescent Institute

 

Trauma, behavior and learning issues, instability and neglect.  Our foster youth are constantly in survival mode. How do we get them out of survival mode and better support them on their educational and life journey? In this interactive session, we’ll delve into what’s happening in the brain, it’s development, and the pivotal role memories play in both learning and behavior. Then, we’ll explore how to use this to positively support and influence behavior and learning outcomes.  Equipped with real-life examples and insights from seasoned child advocates, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of why foster youth are struggling, and how positive response techniques can make a difference.

 

C9     NEW: Foster Youth Education Rights Toolkit

Jill Rowland, Alliance for Children's Rights

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The Alliance for Children’s Rights is excited to announce the release of our completely revamped Comprehensive Education Toolkit for Youth Who Are Systems Involved. This toolkit covers the needs of youth impacted by both the foster care and probation systems and is a compilation of all our previous toolkits, including those designed for school districts and child welfare agencies, probation departments, court personnel, and caregivers. The toolkit includes the most up-to-date laws, includes the big four (school stability, immediate enrollment, partial credits, AB 216 graduation), and has new sections on school discipline and uniform complaint procedures. The electronic version provides links to best practices, tools, and resources to support implementation for all users. Attendees will learn their own legal duties and the intersecting responsibilities of parties across systems, and be able to access the resources and tools they need to improve their practices and positively impact education outcomes for youth.

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C10    Students - Take Charge Of Your Future To Achieve Your Dream Career

Elizabeth Musgrove, Sokanha Mey and Raymond Soto

California  Department of Rehabilitation

 

Are you thinking about your future? 
Are you interested in exploring the world of work? 
Are you excited to start a paid work experience?
Are you curious about options for school after you graduate?

If you answered yes, this workshop is for you!

Young adults connected with California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) go on to thrive in the world of work, as a pathway to independence and financial freedom. DOR provides supports that can inspire eligible young adults to be a voice of their future – a future where one can develop a career, start an innovative business, or explore an apprenticeship. DOR services can include, but are not limited to, support of career technical training, college tuition, paid work experience, and supportive services such as childcare and transportation.  Join us to begin the conversation about finding a fulfilling career that matches your interests and talents.

 

C11    Today's Foster Youth: How to Create a Comprehensive Foster Youth Support Program on Your Campus

Jenna Mendez, Corona-Norco Unified School District

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Foster youth are often the “invisible” underserved population. Come to this workshop and learn how to create a comprehensive academic and social/emotional program serving the needs of today’s foster youth. Our presentation will include data, academic supports, on campus programs, mentorships, district and community outreach, career readiness, resources, and how to build meaningful relationships for this at-promise population. Attendees will gain knowledge of data collection and the important role that data plays in creating new funding sources and receiving resources.

 

C12    Who’s Who: Education Information Sharing with Caregivers/Resource Parents and the Education Rights Holder

Lily Colby, Esq., With Lived Experience

Judy Mandolfo, California Alliance of Caregivers

 

What are the rights and obligations of Caregivers/Resource Parents in accessing educational information for children in foster care or guardianships?  According to findings from a new survey on caregivers’ understanding of the education system, caregivers, particularly emergency relative caregivers, often lack the necessary information about their roles, rights and responsibilities, especially regarding education rights holder issues. In this workshop will discusswhat the rights and obligations of Caregivers are and what are best practices and policy recommendations that will empower you  with the knowledge you need to support and partner with caregivers to ensure that they are informed about education rights holder obligations and responsibilities.